The Groundtruth from a combat veteran, backed up by independent research and historical study. Information beneficial to the Troops. And a touch of objective politics, as it relates to the subjects at hand.

This site is unabashedly Pro-American and Pro-Military however none of the views expressed here are to be considered as endorsed, proposed, or supported by the Department of Defense or any other Agency, government, public, or private. http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/

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SSgt Workman is featured in the Hall of Heroes and a book review on this from Marine Till Death that read it as it was written: http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/shadow-of-the-sword-by-jeremiah-workman-w-john-bruning.html

http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2008/12/ssgt-jeremiah-workman-navy-cross-usmc-iraq-marion-oh.html and links to prior articles.

303 posts from April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

"Tampa, FL – The Commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base announced today that he would no longer allow chairs to be used by his airmen. In his weekly command-wide email, Colonel Lenny Richoux stressed the importance of good posture, physical fitness, and “standing tall”."

"The Command Chief Master Sergeant, Derrick Crowley, wasn’t buying it." “This isn’t about posture. The Colonel’s just plain sick and tired of this ‘Chair Force’ moniker. Being around all these CENTCOM doorkickers all day long means we have to put up with all their crap.”

“How the hell am I supposed to work under these conditions?” said Senior Airman Gregory Jones, “So we use chairs. Big deal. It doesn’t mean we all should be at standing desks like a bunch of idiot hippies.”

This is just a taste of the great satire produced at The Duffle Blog. Troops of all stripes (but not necessarily The Brass), and uniforms will enjoy it, except those inundated with the politically correctness bug. For them, there is equal opportunity to be offended, regardless of service.

Drop in, relax, and enjoy some good old Military Humor, written in a style that you could likely start some serious Rumint by pasting it up on the unit bulletin board.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

REQUEST that all afford my Brothers a Moment of Silence each on Monday beginning 1:00 PM, Eastern Time. REQUEST that each Moment of Silence be dedicated each Monday to my Fallen Brothers in order of notification since prior Monday. 1PM Eastern is Kabul 22:30/10:30PM, Baghdad 20:00/8PM, London 18:00/6PM, San Diego 10AM. This time accommodates those in London, Baghdad & Kabul as well as Congress and across the United States.

Republication of Moments of Silence WITHOUT attribution is encouraged. Tailoring quotes and tribute video is encouraged but not required, though it is requested that the times and names be maintained intact. Each moment is tailored to meet twitter norms and to be tweeted at that time, Each Monday, based on order of notification.

Authorities in eastern Nigeria say a suicide bombing targeting a police official has killed 11 people.Authorities in eastern Nigeria say a suicide bombing targeting a police official has killed at least five people. Updated.

Officials say a bomber on motorbike rammed into a police convoy in Jalingo, the capital of largely peaceful Taraba state, was triggered near the state ministry of finance and police headquarters. Another 20 people were injured in the blast, but the police official was not harmed.

The attack comes a day after gunmen in northern Nigeria killed at least 15 people in an assault on a university theater used for church services.

Security officials said the gunmen threw small explosives into the site at Bayero University in Kano on Sunday, then fired on worshippers as they ran outside.

Officials in southern Nepal say a bomb blast has killed four people and wounded at least 20 others.

Authorities say a bomb attached to a motorbike exploded Monday in Janakpur during a demonstration by protesters demanding a separate province for Maithili-speaking people.

The Nepalese parliament is nearing a deadline to write a new constitution which will divide the country into new states. Various groups across the country have been demanding provinces based on ethnicity.

Nepal has been relatively peaceful since Maoist rebels signed a peace deal in 2006, ending their decades-long insurgency. VoA.

A statement on a militant website says al-Qaida's north African branch has offered to release a British man abducted in Mali if Britain frees radical Islamist cleric Abu Qatada.

The statement attributed to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which could not be verified, said the group would release Stephen Malcolm, who was taken from the northern Mali town of Timbuktu last November along with two other Westerners.

But the message also warned Britain not to deport Qatada to his native Jordan, where he was convicted in absentia in 1998 of terrorism charges related to two bomb plots.

Britain re-arrested Qatada earlier this month, renewing efforts that began in 2001 to send him back to Jordan. The move has been repeatedly blocked by the courts, including in January when the European Court of Human Rights ruled against the deportation, because evidence used against the cleric in Jordan may have been obtained using torture.

Jordan's justice minister has said Qatada would be entitled to a new trial.

British officials have described Qatada as former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden's top European deputy. He has been detained for most of the past decade under the country's anti-terrorism laws. VoA

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2012 - "Core Al-Qaida" – the [headquarters] group led by Osama bin Laden – has been surpassed by its affiliates as the biggest terrorist threat to the United States, a senior intelligence official said.

"With bin Laden's death, the global jihadist movement lost its most iconic, most effective and most inspirational leader," Robert T. Cardillo, deputy director for intelligence integration with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, told reporters in an April 27 conference call. [Though he had been out of direct communication with his organization for years.]

Bin Laden's death allowed al-Qaida second-in-command Ayman al Zawahiri to move up, but he has not changed the group's strategic direction and does not have the charisma to appeal to new recruits, Cardillo said. [Repeating the "leadership" in hiding problems OBL demonstrated.]

This weekend, the "brave & bold" politicians of the Administration are giving their interviews of the fear they felt watching the Seals destroy the most wanted man in the world. They have rolled out a video of Bill Clinton suggesting Mitt Romney would not have had the balls to let the Seals do what Seals do. Leon Panetta took reporters on a magic plane ride where he told them of his daring do and how he had to ask what happens next on the mission he purportedly planned and ran, in the middle of it. Obama, Hillary, Panetta, & Biden have expressed their heroism and fears while watching Seals do what they personally never did, could, or would.

"Boldly risking his own political hide and rushing to the video screen to watch others risk their lives on the other side of the world, the ruler of the Western World, Obama, suffered neck strain, and observed the gasps of his political colleagues while overcome with the smell of Biden and Hillary, for nearly an hour, before declaring himself, the only man on Earth bold enough to control the remote. As the mission was initiated, he made jokes to reporters, belying his fears that the mission wouldn't fall on an historic date. As the enemy sold the classified equipment left behind, he confidently walked to the podium, certain watching that screen would get him re-elected." Proposed citation for the Adminstrators of the Republic.

Why do these politicians believe that they acted heroically by watching a video screen of someone else put their lives on the line on the other side of the world? Because it was "politically risky." Bill Clinton didn't have the balls to do it when he had the chance in the 1990's. The driving force of their fears was not, getting shot at, but getting voted out of power. Their concern was not for the men on the ground, but for their own power being lost. There was real concern that their paychecks were tied to the lives they had risked and the life they hoped they could take. This Ain't Hell addresses the political campaign of this, as well.

The leader organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the province. As the Afghan portion of the force moved into the area and conducted a call out, the insurgent leader and an additional insurgent attempted to fire on the force. The Afghan soldiers returned fire, killing the attackers. Multiple weapons and several blasting caps were also confiscated.

A Norwegian general appointed by the United Nations to lead an observer mission in Syria has taken command of the operation and called on all sides in the country's year-long conflict to stop the violence.

Major-General Robert Mood arrived in Damascus on Sunday to lead the advance team of about 15 unarmed U.N. soldiers tasked with monitoring an April 12 truce agreement that has been plagued by continued fighting.

Speaking to reporters at Damascus airport, General Mood appealed for a “cessation of all armed violence” to help the observers prevent "the collapse of the U.N.-backed cease-fire" and other parts of a peace plan mediated by international envoy Kofi Annan. The Norwegian general said the U.N. monitors “cannot solve all the problems.”

Since the truce "took effect," forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have continued attacking opposition hubs across the country, while rebel fighters have carried out ambushes of government security personnel. Each side has accused the other of provoking attacks. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also has accused the Syrian government of using heavy weapons inside civilian areas in defiance of the truce.

The body of former Libyan oil minister Shukri Ghanem was found floating in the Danube River in Vienna on Sunday.

Police say there is no sign of foul play and that it is possible Ghanem became sick and fell into the water. Authorities say they will perform an autopsy.

Ghanem was Libya's oil minister from 2006 until he abandoned dictator Moammar Gadhafi last year and fled to Austria. He later publicly backed the rebels who eventually toppled, captured and killed Gadhafi.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

The beheaded body of a British doctor working for the Red Cross has been found by the roadside in Quetta, Pakistan nearly four months after he was kidnapped by Islamist Taliban terrorists.

Red Cross officials said 60-year-old Khalil Rasjed Dale had been managing a health program in Quetta for almost a year when he was kidnapped on January 5 while returning home from work. The identities of his captors are unknown.

The director of the Red Cross condemned the “barbaric act” and British Foreign Secretary William Hague called the killing a “senseless and cruel act.”

Quetta police said a note was found with the body in which the Pakistani Taliban claimed the killing, saying the doctor had been beheaded because a ransom had not been paid.

Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, is located close to the border with Afghanistan. The Red Cross operates clinics in the city that treat people wounded in the war in Afghanistan.

Also Sunday, U.S. drone strikes killed at least two suspected militants in the restive North Waziristan tribal area of Pakistan.

The strike comes as U.S. officials are "trying to rebuild a diplomatic relationship with Pakistan." Islamabad wants the U.S. to stop the drone strikes, arguing that they are counter-productive because they kill civilians, exacerbate anti-U.S. sentiment and violate sovereignty.

Washington says the strikes are crucial to defeating al-Qaida and the Taliban. VoA.

The Obama Administration alienated Pakistani Allies despite warnings and predictions, that had nothing to do with taking out bin Laden. The Obama Administration has been pushing Afghanistan to accept the Taliban in a "peace negotiations," and has proposed releasing Taliban leaders from Gitmo and giving them an office in Qatar to negotiate the "peace" deal.

It is with sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm the death of Guardsman Michael Roland, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. He died on Friday 27th April 2012 as a result of a gunshot wound sustained in Afghanistan.

Guardsman Michael Roland deployed to Afghanistan on 3rd April 2012 as a Rifleman in Number Three Platoon, part of The Queen’s Company Grenadier Guards. He was based in Main Operating Base Price near Gereshk in the Nahr-e-Saraj North District of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

On 26 April 2012 Guardsman Roland deployed with his Company on a three day operation to disrupt insurgent activity in a contested area in the north of Nahr-e-Saraj District. On the morning of 27th April 2012 he was fatally wounded during an exchange of small arms fire. He was extracted back to the hospital in Camp Bastion but sadly he died of his injuries.

Guardsman Roland was born on 5th August 1989 in Worthing, Sussex. After joining the Army, Guardsman Roland attended the Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. Upon completion of his training in November 2009 he moved to Nijmegen Company, Grenadier Guards in London. He spent a year conducting public duties at the Royal Palaces and participating in state ceremonial tasks. Guardsman Roland joined 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in November 2010 and was placed in The Queen’s Company. His first year in the Battalion included field training in the UK and an exercise in Canada. From September 2011 he undertook six months of preparatory training for his first tour of Afghanistan, before deploying in early April 2012.

Guardsman Roland’s family paid the following tribute:

“Michael was a loving and caring son loved by his huge extended family and friends who are devastated by their loss. We are still coming to terms with losing him. Michael always wanted to join the Army and was so proud to be part of Queen’s Company Grenadier Guards. Michael loved us all so much; with us he was not big and tough just gentle. We will miss him so much.”

FOB ZEEBRUGGE, Afghanistan — On a damp and cloudy Kajaki morning, the Marines of 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment Police Advisory Team, drove up a steep mountainside and across a road atop the Kajaki Dam to a makeshift rifle range to instruct a marksmanship class for Afghan Uniformed Police officers, April 19.

The class was part of a larger effort by the Marines to prepare the Afghan National Security Forces to take full responsibility of security operations in Kajaki and the surrounding areas.

The Afghan National Army units in Kajaki have reached a point where they are self-sustaining, and the Afghan Uniformed Police are now striving to attain the same level of independence.

Kenyan police say a grenade attack at a Nairobi church Sunday killed one person and wounded at least 10 others, some seriously.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack at Gods House of Miracle International Church in Kenya's capital. Police are investigating who is responsible.

Sunday's attack comes six days after a warning from the U.S. embassy in Kenya of possible terrorist attacks in Nairobi. The embassy issued a message last Monday telling Americans to stay alert.

The embassy said it had credible information about a possible attack on Nairobi hotels and prominent Kenyan government buildings. The statement said the timing of the attack was not known, but that the embassy had “reason to believe the potential attack” was in the last stages of planning. VoA.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Standing next to his starting blocks on the track he shakes out his legs and arm to get all the jitters out. Concentrating on relieving the stress and everything that’s been bothering him, he locks his feet in his block. Around his neck are two dog tags with pictures of friends he lost; reminding him of the opportunities they won’t have.

“I’m running for them. They can’t compete anymore so I’m competing for them,” said Retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer, a disabled veteran athlete. Kacer, a native of Throop, Pa., is competing in the third annual Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee, in the track, field and swimming events beginning April 30, 2012 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Pictured: Retired Army Staff Sgt. Michael Kacer, a stay-at-home dad and inspirational speaker, prepares to run laps during track practice at the McKibben Physical Fitness Center at Fort Carson, Colo., April 25, 2012. Kacer, a native of Throop, Pa., sustained injuries in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008. Kacer will be competing in the track, field and swimming events in the upcoming 2012 Warrior Games beginning 30 April, 2012.

By Cheryl Pellerin, AFPS, ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, April 27, 2012 -Returning from a weeklong trip to South America to strengthen military ties in Colombia, Brazil and Chile, Panetta, who was director of the CIA on May 2, 2011, when the al-Qaida chieftain met his end, recalled the "high-risk mission" the Defense Department called Operation Neptune Spear.

"I don't think there's any question that America is safer as a result of the bin Laden operation," Panetta told reporters traveling with him.

"When you combine that with the other operations that have ... gone after al-Qaida leadership," he added, "I think it has weakened al-Qaida as an organization and certainly it has prevented them from having the command-and-control capability to be able to put together an attack similar to 9/11.

An Afghan and coalition security force captured two Haqqani leaders during an operation in Khost district, Khost province, Saturday.

Both leaders planned and directed roadside bombings and attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. They also provided weapons, ammunition and equipment to Haqqani members in the district. The security force detained two additional suspected insurgents and seized multiple AK-47s, several hand grenades, and multiple magazines with ammunition.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Brittonmihalo, 25, of Simi Valley, Calif., died April 25, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

The Syrian government and opposition activists traded accusations of violence on Saturday, as a handful of U.N. monitors spread out across the country to assess compliance with a fragile "cease-fire."

Rights groups say Syrian forces killed at least 10 people during raids in the Damascus area. Activists also say clashes between government and opposition forces erupted in the Latakia region.

The state-run SANA news agency says a military unit confronted an “armed terrorist group” that attempted an “infiltration” from near the Turkish border. Separately, it says armed terrorists attacked and killed three law enforcement officers in the Aleppo region. The news agency says two “terrorists” were killed in the incident.

Russia on Saturday condemned what it called barbaric attacks in Syria and urged forces inside and outside of the country to rebuff what it called “terrorists.” Moscow, a vocal backer of the Syrian government, commented a day after an explosion in Damascus left at least 10 people dead.

Twenty-seven people were wounded by blasts in the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk, in what authorities are calling a terrorist attack.

Officials say four explosions went off within minutes Friday near a train stop, a movie theater, a park and a downtown area. Some of the bombs were reportedly planted in trash bins.

President Viktor Yanukovich vowed a firm response and said the blasts represent a challenge to the entire country.

Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko quickly left for Dnipropetrovsk to lead an investigation into the attack. Authorities did not immediately release information on the possible perpetrators.

Dnipropetrovsk is the hometown of Ukraine's jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is serving a seven-year sentence for abuse of office. She is now standing trial on tax-evasion charges that could extend her jail time to 12 years.

Ms. Tymoshenko, an opposition leader, denies the charges and says they are part of a campaign by President Yanukovych to remove his strongest political rival.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

A prominent U.S. newspaper says high-level talks designed to end a diplomatic deadlock between the U.S. and Pakistan have ended in failure because Pakistan has demanded an unconditional apology from Washington for an airstrike.

The New York Times says Marc Grossman, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, left Islamabad Friday night after two days of discussion. The talks failed to yield a remedy to the damage caused by a U.S. airstrike in November that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghanistan border.

The U.S. has refused to apologize for the strike and Pakistan has retaliated by cutting off NATO supply routes to Afghanistan. The two countries disagree about the sequence of events in the deadliest single cross-border attack of the 10-year war in Afghanistan.

Officials in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, say a bombing at a newspaper office has killed three people, while another blast hit a market near the same publication's office in the northern city of Kaduna.

Officials say the first explosion Thursday went off at the Abuja office of This Day, one of Nigeria's most prominent papers. A resident of the neighborhood told VOA the explosion shook his house at around 11 o'clock in the morning local time.

Smoke rose from the area of the blast as police and emergency workers rushed to the scene.

Meanwhile, a VOA reporter in Kaduna says police have a man in custody after a car bomb exploded in the central market there just before noon local time. There are reports of at least 3 dead and several injured from that blast.

For two years, authorities have struggled to stop a wave of bombings and shootings in the north, most of them conducted by Islamist terrorist group, Boko Haram, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani leader during an operation in Nadir Shah Kot district, Khost province, Friday. The leader planned and directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition troops throughout the district. He also coordinated with Haqqani leaders in Pakistan for weapons, ammunition and newly-trained insurgents. The security force detained several additional suspected Haqqani members and multiple AK-47s as a result of the operation.

An Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader during an operation in Washer district, Helmand province, Friday. The leader directed roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces. He is also suspected in the attempted assassination of multiple Afghan government officials participating in a shura last month. The security force detained several additional insurgents as a result of this operation.

In Panjwa‘i district, Kandahar province, an Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during a routine patrol Thursday. The cache consisted of approximately 15,400 pounds (7,000 kilograms) of hashish. The security force destroyed the drugs on site without incident.

Finally, in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, Afghan forces planned and led a counter-narcotics operation supported by coalition forces, Wednesday. During the operation, the force discovered a vehicle carrying approximately 2,288 pounds of opium. The opium was destroyed and several suspects were detained.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

In Egypt, protesters again gather at Tahrir Square following Friday prayers. Main focus of the prayers is the Military rulers.

Violence and death continue in Syria, as two explosions in Damscus today kill at least 10 people. International criticism also continues as it is noted that Syria has failed to live up to its commitments.

Out of Iraq, a film called The List that highlights the perils of those Iraqis who have worked with the Americans, has its premiere in New York.

The government of Israel recently said it would begin deporting illegal immigrants from two African countries because conflicts there had subsided and it was safe to return home.

A commander of the Libyan rebel forces that helped to oust Moammar Gadhafi last year claims British intelligence services played a key role in his capture and alleged CIA rendition back to Libya in 2004, where he says he was tortured. His lawyers say the case reveals the murky links between Western governments and Gadhafi before the 2011 uprising.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2012 – Policy changes announced in February opening more than 14,000 new assignments to women in uniform will take effect May 14, Defense Department officials said today.

Officials issued a Pentagon press release confirming that two changes to the 1994 Direct Ground Combat Definition and Assignment Rule can now move forward since the Congressionally-mandated notification period has expired. The changes were first announced Feb. 9 in a report to Congress.

The biggest barrier DOD is lifting is a 1994 policy prohibiting women from jobs -- such as tank mechanic and field artillery radar operator -- that take place near ground combat units. With that restriction removed, 13,000 new assignments will be available for women. Nearly 10,000 of those new opportunities are in fields never before open to women.

The second change is an “exception to policy” that will allow the Army, Navy and Marines to open select positions at the battalion level in jobs women already occupy.

Wounded British servicemen and women are flying to the United States today to take part in the Warrior Games.

The Warrior Games, an annual event hosted by the US Olympic Committee (USOC), start next week and will see wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and veterans compete in seven paralympic sporting events from 30 April to 5 May.

Swimmers leave their starting platforms as they begin one of their first swims of the day at the 2011 Warrior Games (stock image)[Picture: Samantha L Quigley, USO 2011]

More than 200 people will take part in the 2012 Warrior Games, including a UK squad of 21 Service personnel who will compete in five sports - archery, cycling, swimming, track and field, and sitting volleyball (known as 'seated volleyball' in the USA).

The UK personnel have been invited by the event's organisers to take part in the Games as special guests, and their attendance is being supported and funded by the UK charity Help for Heroes.

Friday, April 27, 2012

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jon Martinez, Texas Agribusiness Development Team 5 Animal Husbandry noncommissioned Officer and Project Manager assistant Supply NCO, stands back as local honey bees take flight for the first time since being moved from their home in the ADT greenhouse on Forward Operating Base Ghazni April 4. It is important to disorient the honeybees prior to moving them to a new location to help them accept their new environment, otherwise they may attempt to return to the old hive and get lost. (USAF SSgt April Quintanilla)

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jon Martinez, Texas Agribusiness Development Team 5 Animal Husbandry Noncommissioned Officer and Project Manager Assistant Supply NCO, farms honey bees native to Ghazni province to assist the Department of Agriculture Irrigation and Livestock specialists in teaching local Afghans how to start their own apiary business April 4, 2012.

The apiary, a honeybee yard with a number of beehives, project is a passion of Martinez that he established while still in the United States. He has shared his knowledge and love for the project with the Afghans of Ghazni Province.

The United States and Japan have reached an agreement to move about 9,000 U.S. Marines on the Japanese island of Okinawa to locations outside of Japan. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, traveling in Santiago, Chile, Thursday, is applauding the deal that will see the Marines moved to other locations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The agreement comes after years of protests by Japanese residents of Okinawa who have complained of crime, noise, and occasional incidents of bad behavior by U.S troops based on the island.

He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” (W.Shakespeare) Rest in peace my Brothers, you have not been forgotten.

FORT CARSON, Colo. — “There is nothing wrong with having post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury. You are not letting anyone down when you seek help for the symptoms that you are encountering and you are not alone in the fight.”

Courtesy Photo Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeremiah Arbogast, a native of Cumberland, Md., listens to instructions by swim coach Shelia Taormina at swim practice for the 2012 Warrior Games at Colorado Springs, Colo., April 24, 2012. Arboast will compete in swimming and hand-cycling during the Games. The Warrior Games is a competition between wounded warriors from all military branches and includes swimming, track and field, cycling, shooting, archery, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. The third annual Warrior Games will run from May 1-5. (Photo by Lance Cpl. Chelsea Flowers)

Two members of the Wounded Warrior Regiments Medical Cell are the voices behind this powerful statement. Sharon Cross and Karola Thurman have made it a top priority to continue educating Marines and their leadership about the causes and effects of invisible wounds.

Maj. Gen. William C. Mayville Jr., commanding general of Combined Task Force-1 and the 1st Infantry Division, uncases the 1st Infantry Division colors during a transfer of authority ceremony on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 19, 2012.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (April 25, 2012) -- The 1st Infantry Division, known famously as the "Big Red One," took charge of military operations in eastern Afghanistan April 19, in a ceremony on Bagram Airfield.

In the ceremony, the division assumed command authority of Regional Command-East from the 1st Cavalry Division. The latter is returning to Fort Hood, Texas, after a successful year-long tour here.

Operating as Combined Joint Task Force-1, the 1st Infantry Division will command and control operations throughout RC-East, an area roughly the size of Virginia including 14 provinces, 7.5 million Afghans and 450 km of a mountainous Pakistan border.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2012 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has ordered the directors of joint military education institutions and combatant commanders to examine the scope and content of training and education courses dealing with Islamic extremism to ensure they are appropriate and in keeping with U.S. values and principles.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey sent the letter after students at the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Va., raised concerns about the content of a class entitled “Perspectives on Islam and Islamic Radicalism.” Dempsey ordered the course closed until the study is complete.

“Our concern is there are some unprofessional things being taught to students in professional military education curriculum,” Kirby said during a press availability today.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is aware of Dempsey’s order and he shares the general’s concern, the captain said. “He also completely endorses the chairman’s intention to look at joint professional military education across the board to make sure we have done an adequate scrub on the content of this type of curriculum,” Kirby said.

The Taliban leader planned and supervised roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition security forces throughout the district. He also provided weapons and ammunition to insurgents in the area.

As the security force approached the Taliban leader’s suspected location, two armed insurgents fled into a nearby mosque. The security force pursued the insurgents and the Afghan soldiers moved to the entrance of the mosque compound. No coalition troops entered the compound.

As the Afghan soldiers conducted a call out, the insurgents fired on the force from within the mosque compound. The security force returned fire in self-defense. Two insurgents were detained as a result of the operation.

Afghanistan

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Ace Of Spades: Why Language MattersIn this article, Ace of Spades demonstrates how the writing style of "journalists" and other writers is purposely used to influence the electorate. He explains this far better than I have been able to do, but this is the foundation of why I could no longer be silent.